On July 26, 2009, Andrei V. Psarev, Instructor of Canon Law and Russian Church History at Holy Trinity Seminary, was ordained to the deaconate by His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of Russian Church Abroad. The ordination took place in Jackson during the festive service dedicated to St. Vladimir Enlightener of Russia, the patron of the Church.

The festive service was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion. The church traditionally attracts many pilgrims on the day of its patron Saint. This year, the pilgrims were able to venerate the miracle working icon of Mother of God of Pochaev, which was brought for this occasion from Holy Trinity Monastery. Metropolitan Hilarion gave a sermon on the importance of celebrating the memory of St. Vladimir for Russian Church and also wished God’s help to the newly ordained deacon Andrei in his service to Christ’s Church. Following the Divine Liturgy a procession and blessing of water took place.

From 1989 to 2001 A.V. Psarev was a member of the editorial staff of the print shop of St. Job of Pochaev, working primarily on the publication of Russian periodicals, and organizing the print shop’s archives. After graduating from Holy Trinity Seminary in 1995, Fr. Andrei began teaching Russian Church history; in 2003 he was also assigned as instructor of Canon Law. From 2001 to 2003 he was the secretary of Bishop Gabriel of Manhattan. In 2004 he graduated from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, receiving an M.Th. Fr. Andrei is currently working on a doctoral dissertation, focusing on Canons 13, 14 and 15 of the First and Second Council in Constantinople (861).

Holy Trinity Seminary wishes Deacon Andrei many years in the service of Christ's Holy Church.

Axios! Axios! Axios!